TORONTO, May 16, 2018 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Hands-on access to today's most advanced technologies isn't the only thing attendees of FABTECH Canada, produced by SME, FMA, AWS, PMA and CCAI, will have at their fingertips. Running June 12-14 at the Toronto Congress Centre, FABTECH Canada provides manufacturers in Ontario and beyond the chance to see and touch the latest technologies in forming, fabricating, welding and finishing while learning about the issues and opportunities facing the industry. The event also features two powerful keynote presentations and a panel discussion held throughout the first two days. As the show progresses, a variety of educational sessions will take place in the event's main theater.

A medium-sized but advanced nation must pursue new markets to feed the growth of its most advanced sectors. However, those newly industrialized developing markets grow by undercutting Canada's 125-year value proposition in manufacturing. Join Flavio Volpe, president, Automotive Parts Manufacturers' Association (APMA), on Tuesday, June 12 to discuss whether Canada can secure new foreign customers faster than we lose domestic ones to foreign entrants; he'll ask attendees what they want from new partners beyond "expanded markets" while weighing the risks.

Panel: The Factory of the Future

Advanced manufacturing technologies like cutting-edge digital designs, additive manufacturing (AM) and robotics all work together towards making the "Factory of the Future" a reality. Join our panel of experts on Tuesday, June 12 to take a closer look at how the collaboration of robotics and AM technologies are moving the industry forward. Attendees will hear from Mihaela Vlasea, PhD, assistant professor, University of Waterloo; Carl Dekker, president, Met-L-Flo; Peter Fitzgerald, general manager, FANUC Canada; Tharwat Fouad, president and CEO, Anubis 3D; and Francesco Iorio, director of Computational Science Research, Autodesk.

Keynote: What's trending in Canadian Manufacturing?

With collapsing product lifecycle, mass customization, digitization, robotics and the cloud, is Canada ready for the new world of manufacturing? On Wednesday, June 13, Jim Carroll, a leading global futurist, trends and innovation expert, will put these trends into perspective, discussing the insights and innovations that lead to opportunity when we align with and utilize advanced technology.

Carroll's global client list gives him a front row seat to the high velocity change that is occurring as disruption comes to take hold of every industry and every organization. With that insight, and the customized research that he undertakes for every engagement, he helps to transform growth-oriented organizations into high-velocity innovation leaders.

For more information or to register for FABTECH Canada, visit www.fabtechcanada.com.

About SME
SME connects manufacturing professionals, academia and communities, sharing knowledge and resources to build inspired, educated and prosperous manufacturers and enterprises. With more than 85 years of experience and expertise in events, media, membership, training and development, and also through an education foundation, SME is committed to promoting manufacturing technology, developing a skilled workforce and attracting future generations to advance manufacturing. Learn more at sme.org, follow @SME_MFG on Twitter or facebook.com/SMEmfg.

About FABTECH Canada
FABTECH is Canada's largest metal forming, fabricating, welding and finishing event. The event provides a convenient 'one-stop-shop' venue where you can meet with world-class suppliers, see the latest industry products and developments, and find the tools to improve productivity and increase profits. FABTECH Canada is organized by co-sponsors SME, AWS, FMA, PMA and CCAI. Together, these associations bring unmatched technical proficiency and industry insight to FABTECH. Read more about FABTECH's co-sponsors here.

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